Means for connecting a load to load-lifting mechanism



March 4, 1924};

B. F. FITCH MEANS FOR GONNECTING A LOAD TO LOAD LIFTING MECHANISM Filed March 22. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet ii 2.1 MBA/270R flfaJP/v J March 4, 1924. 1,485,972

B. F. FITCH MEANS FOR CONNECTING A LOAD TO LOAD LIFTING MECHANISM Filed March 22. 1922 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented- UNITED STATES PATENro BENJAMIN I. FITCHQOF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS.

j 1,485,972 FFICE.

111mm ron communal LOAD-T Loan-mums nnonmsm.

- Application filed-11inch 22, 1922. Serial No. 545,668.

useful Improvement in Means for Connecting a Load to Load-Liftin Mechanism, of which the followin is a fu clear, and exact description, re erence being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to supporting elements adapted to be carried by a load, and

to cooperating hoisting mechanism for engaging said elements. Such elements and mechanism are useful in connection with the handling of freight in automobile bodies orcontainers, wherein the load is suspended at four points from an overhead hoisting mechanism.

One of the objects of my invention is the provision of a load supportin element which may be readily incorporated in a container, so as not to project beyond the a thereof, and at the same time to possess s cient strength to support a loaded container when suspended from an overhead hoisting mechanism. In this connection, my invention contemplates the provision of a device which is simple in construction, light in weight, and capable of centering the load engaging members carried by the hoisting mechanism. 3

In the construction of a hoisting mechanism, my invention provides for load engaging elements which may be directly connected to hoisting cables, whereby a positioning cradle of light construction may be used, without any of the load stresses being placed upon the beams of which the cradle is formed.

The means for carrying out my invention will be hereinafter described in connection with the drawings forming a part thereof, and the essential characteristics will be summarized in the claims.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a container having a load supporting device constructed according to my invention and having a hoisting element shown above the container; Fig. 2 is an end view of the hoisting element and container as shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an end view of a supporting element constructed according to my invention but removed from the container, and showing one of the load engaging elements in the form of a hook; Fig. 4 1s a front elevation of the device shown in'Fig. 3 with the hook removed; Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 in Fig. 4; and Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view of an enlarged scale showing one of the load supporting hooks.

One of the uses of my invention is illustrated in Fig. 1, wherein 10 indicates a container in the form of a removable body having provision adjacent the upper corners thereof for recelvlng a load supporting ele 'ment, which is adapted to be engaged by the hoisting mechanism for raising and transporting the container. 1

In "handling freight by the use of such containers, the usual practice is to engage the container at the top. Accordingly, to transmit the lifting stresses to the floor of the container, I have shown a vertical reinforcing strip 11 and inclined strips 12, all of which may be attached to a plate 15 embodying part of my invention. These plates are attached to the container near the eaves of the roof, and in the form illustrated are provided with a flange 16 which extends beneath the roof covering, whereby the covering constitutes a flashing for preventing seepage of rain water into the walls of the container.

The plate 15 may be a heavy stampin or forging, dependent of course, upon the Toad to be carried, but in any case the plate is provided with a recess 17 which is suflicient to admit a supporting hook 18. Extending across this recess I provide a load supporting member 20, the ends of which are upset beyond that portion of the plate turned inwardly to form the recess. The shape of the recess as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 is such as to automatically center the load engaging hook, thus obviating the necessity for a workman to effect an engagement manually between each hook and the cooperating engaging element on the load.

A convenient means for obtaining an accurate engagement automatically by a plurality of hooks is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, wherein the hooks are carried on longitudinal beams 25 of a cradle. These beams are adapted to extend beyond the ends of the load and to be connected at the central portion of the cradle by hinged end beams 26, at a common connection 27. When the cradle is not supporting a load, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the hinged connections 27 are substantially in a plane with the longitudinal beams 25, in which position thehooks 18 clear the sides of the container so that the cradle may be lowered over the load by lowering the load supporting cables 30. v

When the hooks are beneath-the supports '20 the cradle-'may be buckled by drawing upwardly on cables 31 attached to the hinged connections 27, and this'automatimembers 26 are automatically heldin the position indicated by the broken lines 26 in Fig. 2.

By attaching the load engaging elements to the ends of the supporting cablesand by positioning such elements on the beams 25 so as to automatically register with the various supporting members 20, it is obvious that all load stresses are transmitted directly through the elements or the hooks to the hoisting cables. Accordingly, the beams 25 and 26 may be of very light construction and sufficient only to hold the hooks in proper position for registration with the supporting -members on the load. A convenient means of attaching the hooks"to thebeams 25 is shown in Fig. 6 as comprising U-bolts 35 which extend'around'the shanks of the hooks, occupying recesses therein, and; have their ends passing through the webs of the beams 25 and secured by suitable nuts 37. The outer face of the hook shank is preferably flattened to revent turnln g.

The'claims presented in this application are concerned particularly with the pocket construction. The claims on the cradle construction, will be found in my co-pending application Serial No. 632,239, filed April 16, 1923.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that my invention provides a recessed load supporting element which possesses sufficient strength to support a load without requiring the use of exterior projecting members. In addition, my invention provides a means for centering the hoisting mechanism, thus enabling the load to be engaged and raised by one man, and obviating the necessity of individual attention to each load engaging member. Further, the cradle construction permits a load to be suspended without any of the load stresses being transmitted through the cradle beams.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, a one piecemembcr having bearing surfaces thereon lying in two intersecting planes, and having a pocket formed by a portion struck up from said member, so as to interrupt the line formed by the intersection of said surfaces.

2. The combination with a one piece meme her having two surfaces lying in' intersecting planes. and having a pocketcxtending across the intersection of said surfaces, of

a load supporth'ig element carried by said member and extending transversely of said pocket.

3. In a device ofthe character described, the (,'.()Inl')llltltl()ll with a one' piece member having a pocket formed therein, of a load supporting element carried thereby and extending across said pocket, said pocket being flared outwardly adjacent said element for admitting a load engaging member.

t. In a device of the character described, the combination with a one piece member having a pocket therein, said pocket being wider at the bottom than at the top, of a load supporting element carried by said member and extending transversely of the pocket.

In a device of the character described, the combination with aone piece member having two surfaces thereof lying in intersecting planes, and having a portion thereof turned inwardly to form a pocket, said pocket extending from one of said surfaces to the other, and a load supporting element associated with said member.

6. In a device of the character described,

the combination with an angle plate having one face thereof inclined to another. an

having portions thereof adjacent the intersection of said faces turned :inwardly, and

a load supporting element associated with member and extending across said depression.

8. In adevice of the character described,

the combination of a one-piece member hav-' ing two surfaces thereof lying in intersecting planes,- and having a portion of each surface turned inwardly .to form a, pocket which converges from one surface to' the other, and a load supporting element extending across the pocket ad aQent the intersection of said surfaces. 7 p

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my signature.

BENJAMIN F. FITCH. 

